Hug From Daddy

Once, a friend told me a story about how God reached down and sent her a small token to remind her of His faithfulness and that He was listening, when she was beginning to walk through a trial. She called it a "hug from God." Today God gave me a hug like that.

We have been walking through a trial for many months now. For a while, I believed it to be hopeless, but God has shown me how very much he loves me and is willing to walk me through. I know that we will make it through, however, I see the mountains still looming in front of me and say, "I-gulp-trust you Lord. I know you are faithful to make a way EVEN THOUGH I cannot see one tiny glimpse of a solution, and I mean God it would really be so much easier to trust you if I could just see a hint of what you have planned, pleeeeeease." (That is how my conversations with God are--long and rambling run-on sentences.)

[Through most of that trial I was very alone because I felt that I didn't really have anyone to whom I could turn with my burdens. I asked God to draw me closer to the women with whom I go to church. I wanted a group that I could trust to go to God, to intercede for me.]

A few days ago I sat thinking about all of the things ahead of us with (yes I admit it) a little bit of fear, taking deep breaths, practicing relaxation techniques ("I trust you Father. I trust you Father. You have good plans for me..." etc.) I was thinking about myself a bit, and I prayed a small (I would say simple, but I have a strange ability to make the most simple thing extremely complex) prayer. This is what I said:

"God, we have a lot of stuff going on. Thank you so much for providing for us. You are truly awesome. I know I've been asking you for a lot lately, and I don't want to be selfish, but I don't ask you for much for myself. I'm looking at all these things that still have to be paid and I'm a bit nervous, but I know you can handle it. God, Christmas is coming and we're not making any more now than we were six months ago. You're gonna have to provide a miracle, and I know you can and will. Please. And all of those things are really important and I need you to come through for us, and I have no doubt that you will, but, if it's not too much trouble, I have one personal, I guess selfish request. If it's not too much trouble, I'd really like to have some new clothes. I'm down to my last pair of jeans and they're pretty shabby, and..well Father, it's pretty embarassing to wear the same pants over and over. I only have two pair of dress slacks left, and the shirts and dresses aren't looking too good either. And, Lord I know I'm pushing it, but I'd really like to have a few pieces of jewelry. I have just a couple of those too, and I really like jewelry. But if it comes down to it, and I can't have both, please just provide the other stuff, and I'll be fine. Thanks. And (hurriedly) if I'm being too selfish please just disregard this whole conversation except the stuff about bills and Christmas. Thanks again."

And I went about my way.

This afternoon a friend from church asked me if I wanted to go hang out with her while our kids had Christmas play practice. I was really excited and of course agreed. We went to one store and then to the mall. It was nice to just walk around and chat. We went into a store that neither of us had ever ventured into. We found some really pretty vases and carved wooden things. There was also some pretty pieces of jewelry. Well you can probably guess where this story is going. Without my knowledge, this sweet friend bought a lovely bracelet for me. It has the Fruit of the Spirit engraved on it. I almost cried. He answered two prayers at once.

It was my hug from my Abba Father.